Ahh yes, debuts...

Last Saturday I went to a debut, a traditional coming-of-age celebration for an 18-year-old Filipina. I look forward to these events because it gives me an excuse to get all dressed up, not to mention that for the most part, they're at least mildly interesting! I had good time, spending time with friends and just relaxing for a few hours.

It made me reflect on my own debut, except I had mine when I turned 15, instead of 18. Why? I didn't understand at the time. In August 2004, my mom's cancer returned after five years of good health, this time metastisizing to her lungs and brain. The doctors gave her three months to live, and in the hopes of shielding me from this news, my family didn't inform me about this. My birthday is in October. My mom passed away in November, exactly three months later. Suddenly and tragically, it all made sense to me.

In retrospect, I remember how quickly it was all planned, with the main goal of giving me a debut while my mom was still here. I went back down memory lane, remembering the program, the people who were there, the people chosen to give me words of wisdom, the 15 guys chosen to dance with me, each one with a rose, as is expected in tradition.

I reflect on who was at that party, and I compare the guest list to the people I currently hold most dear in my heart, and it's incredible how the list is completely different. It made me realize that people come and go in life, and it's just part of the process. Yes, of course, you'll have people that will stick around forever, and people that are only there for a moment. Every person that comes into your life has a purpose and makes some sort of a mark upon it. As I'm sitting here, I begin to realize it's important to not only consider the impression other people are making in your life, but also the kind of impression you're leaving in the lives of those around you. Maybe if more people stopped to think about that and consciously act upon it, we'd somehow make each others' lives just a tad bit better. Something to think about as you start off your week!